Olive Kitteridge

Bob and Jane Houlton, an elderly married couple, drive to a concert. As they approach the church, Jane remembers moments from their life together. Bob feels a sense of foreboding. He parks the car and helps Jane out of the car; the couple are in their mid-seventies, and both had minor heart attacks in the last year. On the way into the church, they spot the “Lydias” (actually Alan and Donna Granger), whose daughter Lydia had been friends with the Houltons’ daughter.

Jane, who fears dying in public, and Bob, whose “bowels weren’t what they used to be” (128), hurry to find seats near the back. They exchange memories of Lydia Granger, who had an abortion in high school. Olive Kitteridge enters the concert venue with her husband; Jane used to be the school nurse during the same time Olive was the math teacher. The orchestra warms up, and the concert starts. Bob falls asleep during Debussy, which Jane finds endearing, reflecting on how it is “a gift to be able to know someone for so many years” (131).

During the intermission, Bob and Jane meet Alan and Donna and exchange updates about their children. When Alan says he will never retire, Jane realizes that is because he does not want to be home all day with his wife.